A BROADBAND firm has been fined after failing to ensure the safety of the public during roadworks in Kingston St Mary.

Internet provider Airband Community Internet has been hit with fines and charges totalling more than £11,000 after being prosecuted by Somerset Council.

It pleaded guilty at Taunton Magistrates Court earlier this month to two offences committed under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).

These were both committed on November 21 last year and were:

* Airband carried out street works at Nailsbourne Road, Kingston-St-Mary, Somerset, in contravention of S65 of NRSWA 1991 by failing to install traffic management to ensure the safety of the travelling public affected by the works.

* The company carried out street works at Dodhill Road, Kingston-St-Mary, Somerset, again in contravention of S65 of NRSWA 1991 by failing to ensure the safety of the public.

The court gave full credit to Airband for guilty pleas entered at the earliest opportunity and accepted in mitigation that Airband showed genuine remorse and took steps to remedy the breaches and ensure compliance in future.

Airband had previous convictions under NRSWA 1991 dating back to 2022, the court was told.

The company was sentenced to fines totalling £7,400, costs of £2,282 and a victim surcharge of £2,000.